IT Phrases Guide
English Phrases for Salary Negotiation — IT Professional's Guide
Professional English phrases for negotiating compensation — making your case, handling counteroffers, and closing confidently.
8 phrases across 2 situations · 3 phrases to avoid · 5 exercises · 10 FAQ items
Making Your Case
- Based on my research into market rates for this role, I was expecting something in the range of [X–Y].Anchoring with a range backed by research
"Based on my research into market rates for a senior engineer in London, I was expecting something in the range of £80–90k."
- I've been offered [amount] elsewhere, but I'd prefer to work here if we can align on compensation.Using a competing offer as leverage politely
"I've been offered £85k elsewhere, but I'd prefer to work here if we can align on compensation."
- Given my experience in [area], I believe [amount] reflects the value I'd bring.Tying ask to specific skills
"Given my experience scaling distributed systems, I believe £90k reflects the value I'd bring to this team."
- Is there flexibility on the base salary?Direct, non-confrontational question
"I appreciate the offer — is there flexibility on the base salary?"
Handling the Response
- I appreciate the offer. I'd like a day to review the full package before responding.Buying time professionally
"Thank you — I appreciate the offer. I'd like a day to review the full package before responding."
- If the base isn't flexible, could we look at [bonus / equity / remote days]?Pivoting to total compensation when base is fixed
"If the base isn't flexible, could we look at increasing the signing bonus or adding an extra remote day per week?"
- That works for me — I'm excited to join the team.Accepting with confidence, not relief
"That works for me — I'm excited to join the team and get started."
- I'd like to revisit compensation after 6 months once I've demonstrated my impact.Building in a review point if the initial offer is below target
"I'd like to accept and revisit compensation after 6 months once I've demonstrated my impact — is that something we can agree on?"
Phrases to Avoid
These common phrasings undermine your professionalism. Here are better alternatives.
"I need" is personal and emotional; basing your ask on market data is professional and harder to dismiss.
Accepting without negotiating signals you have no confidence in your market value. Even expressing interest while asking to discuss is better.
Judging the offer negatively creates defensiveness. Framing it as a gap to bridge is more productive.
Practice Exercises
Choose the most professional or correct phrase for each scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "total compensation" include?
Total compensation (TC) includes base salary, bonus (annual or performance), equity (shares or options), pension/retirement contributions, and benefits like health insurance or remote working flexibility.
What is "levelling" in tech companies?
Levelling is a system that maps job titles to seniority tiers (e.g. L3, L4, L5 at Google) with defined compensation bands. Knowing your level helps you benchmark your salary accurately.
What is a "signing bonus"?
A signing bonus (or sign-on bonus) is a one-time payment made when you accept a job offer. It's often used to compensate for unvested equity you're leaving behind.
What does "equity" mean in a job offer?
Equity is ownership in the company, usually in the form of stock options (right to buy shares at a fixed price) or RSUs (Restricted Stock Units, shares granted over a vesting schedule).
What is a "vesting schedule"?
A vesting schedule defines when you gain ownership of granted equity. A typical schedule is a 4-year vest with a 1-year cliff — you receive 25% after year 1, then monthly thereafter.
How do you research market rates for tech roles?
Use platforms like Levels.fyi (for TC data), Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary Insights, and industry salary surveys. Be specific about location, role level, and tech stack.
Is it rude to negotiate a job offer?
No — negotiation is expected, especially in tech. Most offers have flexibility built in. Declining to negotiate is more likely to leave money on the table than to offend.
What is "base salary" vs "OTE"?
Base salary is your guaranteed fixed pay. OTE (On-Target Earnings) includes base plus a variable component (bonus or commission) if you hit performance targets — common in sales and business development roles.
What does "comp band" mean?
A compensation band (or pay band) is the salary range for a specific role level at a company. For example, a Senior Engineer might have a band of £80k–£100k.
How do you ask for a salary review?
Be specific and data-driven: "I'd like to discuss my compensation — based on my contributions over the past year and current market rates, I believe an adjustment to [amount] is warranted."